LGBT Police Liaison

Lieutenant James “Jim” Young

The City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department are committed to making sure that all members of the community are represented and have the same availability of services. Orlando Police Chief John Mina has appointed Lt. Young to work as the agency LGBT police/community liaison.

Lieutenant James “Jim” Young has been working in law enforcement for 25 years. Growing up in northern Ohio, and upon completing High School, he entered the US Air Force at the age of 17. He worked in the Security Police field and served tours within the US, in Central America and the Middle East. He joined the City of Pinellas Park Police Department in 1990, and served in patrol, criminal investigations, undercover drug unit, gang unit, SWAT and as special assignment in Chief’s staff. He was Officer of the Year in 1996. During this time, he also completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from St. Leo University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He left the police department at the end of that year to continue a full time education in law.

He returned to law enforcement in 1997 by joining the Orlando Police Department. Since that time, he has worked in various sections of patrol, special operations and crime prevention. He has represented OPD at many functions and meetings over the years maintaining a great relationship with the LGBT community. He is also an assistant team commander for the Department’s Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Team. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2010, and has served as a patrol supervisor, Mounted Patrol Supervisor and Media Relations Supervisor. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He is now serving as shift watch commander in the patrol division.

Lt. Young is an instructor in several fields of expertise and teaches in-service training to OPD, as well as other law enforcement agencies. This also includes teaching a course on diversity, focusing on LGBT issues. Lt. Young has and continues to serve on many boards, overseeing community grants, law enforcement testing and various others. He serves as his neighborhood association vice president. Jim often volunteers with private and political organizations.